Bengals Mock Draft Roundup: Final predictions for Cincinnati's first round pick in 2025 NFL Draft among experts and insiders

It's finally here. The 2025 NFL Draft starts tonight, and the Cincinnati Bengals' 17th overall pick represents the start of the second half of the first round.  

NFL media is all over the place regarding whom the Bengals will select with their first-round pick, but there's a clear theme among the final mock drafts: Pass rush.

Now that final predictions have been submitted, let's take a look at the players mocked to Cincinnati in the first round. Below each pick will feature a snippet of the expert's analysis of the pick if provided.

Matt Miller, ESPN: Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart

Stewart is a toolsy player with high upside who could eventually replace Trey Hendrickson.

Jordan Reid, ESPN: Oregon DT Derrick Harman

Harmon is a big, stout presence who can penetrate the first level and defend the run. He finished last season with five sacks and led all defensive tackles with 34 QB pressures. 

Peter Schrager, ESPN: Marshall EDGE Mike Green

The pass rusher who led the FBS with 17 sacks last season could go even higher than this. The unfortunate truth is that whichever defender Cincinnati takes here will be pitted against veteran Trey Hendrickson, who hasn't been happy with contract negotiations and has requested a trade.

Benjamin Allbright, KOAColorado: Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen

Josh Norris, Underdog Network: Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart

There’s a great Bengals collective that nailed Amarius Mims and Myles Murphy as first round picks. They put their heads together and came up with Shemar Stewart. Who am I to question them?

Hayden Winks, Underdog Network: Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen

Nolen's first step juice is arguably the best in the class as long as the motor and strength check out. They had him in for an official visit.

Ari Meirov, NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon

I think he could go higher than this, but if he's there for the Bengals, this pick makes a lot of sense.

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku

Ezeiruaku is a skilled pass rusher with some similarities to Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, whose future with the team remains murky.

Charles Davis, NFL.com: Georgia S Malaki Starks

When the Bengals were playing their best on defense in recent years, they were strong down the middle. Starks is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker from center field.

Chad Rueter, NFL.com: Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams

Williams is the pick because of his potential as a strong, long edge defender who can pressure quarterbacks and play the run.

Eric Edholm, NFL.com: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon

There's a case to be made for taking more of an edge defender, but the Bengals need help inside. Harmon is a multi-technique DL who can disrupt from the interior.

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart

Stewart still needs some development, but he's athletic and could generate strong sack numbers, especially if Trey Hendrickson sticks around, setting the rookie up to feed off the veteran's presence.

James Rapien, Cincinnati Bengals on SI: Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart 

Stewart could easily be the best player on the Bengals' board if he falls to them in the first round. Walter Nolen could be gone by the time the Bengals are on the clock. The same goes for Jihaad Campbell and Derrick Harmon.

Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati.com: Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams

The term I heard most when asking about Williams were “tough” and “physical.” He fits what the Bengals need playing in the AFC North. There are no questions about his love for the game or character concerns.

Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon

There are cases to be made for others, including Nolen, for many of the same reasons as Harmon, with an even more explosive get-off, but the reliability given underlying concerns about Nolen’s love for the game pushes him a tick below in my mind.